So it is Russell Brand

[Gro]

The biggest news story of the year is about someone who has already written books about all the stuff he has done. I will be surprised if Dispatched can say one thing I didn't already know.

I worked for a comedy agency back in the early 00's that provided stand up talent to the top comedy tv shows. It was a really toxic and sexist environment, rotten to the core. I lasted 6 months! Not surprised that there are several male comedians being exposed, I'm delighted. The nice ones were in the minority.

@Milkkbottles

I didn’t say it was a crime - but it’s morally repugnant behaviour. I’m surprised women would defend him when anyones DP behaving like that would be deemed as vile.

Nobody’s defending him. Failure to froth or be surprised is cynicism, not defence.

The rape apologists on this thread..!

Not surprised. I know people who think he's great and tells it like it is. I've always thought the complete opposite about him and his behaviour. Very off putting and creepy imo.

To me, it's also telling that his two biggest public figure supporters are also problematic in so many ways: Andrew Tate and Elon Musk

Sarah Pascoe is on BBC Breakfast just now.

What's the Jemima Khan connection? Were her and Brand a couple for a while? Bizarre.

No doubt Netflix will already be rubbing their hands.

Well that ignores the fact that the police have a long history of ignoring rape and abuse claims against high profile men, just look at Jimmy Saville, should his victims have never had the chance to speak out, simply because the police turned a blind eye?

I think the thing is that when these men say their relationships were all consensual, they don't realise (or choose not to) the power imbalance. Very often they prey on much younger, or vulnerable women who are starstruck/ coerced. They may well say yes , but I think the power imbalance alone means that these young women often end up in positions that they are not comfortable with.

He’s always come across as a wannabe cult leader to me.

Does it make it okay to accuse him of rape? No

Sorry, what? Why can’t he be accused of rape?

@Milkkbottles - what seems likely is that perhaps there have been police complaints and not acted on.

Brand's "I'm a sexy addict" narrative is dubious. It could infer that his view was on consent that the moment you were with him that there was a very wide range of acts he might do, and the other person had consented. Let's see what is said, but that would make him like Weinstein. Weinstein still doesn't believe he did anything wrong btw - even though he clearly did because of his attitude to consent.

@Milkkbottles

I disagree. Good journalism, and I would classify Dispatches as good journalism - should be there to call out atrocious behaviour. If the result is that less harm is caused to women from this exposure then it’s the right thing to do. The care home expose by Dispatches was excellent and resulted in better outcomes for care home residents and a subsequent court case.
Bad journalism causes more harm than good. Good journalism causes more good than harm.

Absolutely

er "really disgusting" how?
I haven't seen anyone minimising the seriousness of rape or sexual assault.
Have you?
If so please quote these disgusting comments.
Maybe you are characterising as "disgusting" something else. If so please share with us.
And it needs to be said there is as yet no public evidence about rape or sexual assault by any party. So not sure at all what you are so "disgusted" about.

Surely If Channel 4 have evidence of a criminal act then they should give it to the police. But then they wouldn’t be able to put out their programme

Unless they only want trial by media and the court of public opinion. In which case it’s just cancel culture in another firm
and designed to wreck someone’s life.

Anyone can allege anything about anyone and their are people who can’t differentiate between allegations and being found guilty of a criminal act,
Especially If someone isn’t well liked

Innocent until proved guilty seems to have become guilty before during and even after being found not guilty

The trial for some will be meaningless

RB and his pseudo intellectualism has always annoyed me.

I don't think people should assume any alleged victims didn't report it to the police.

quite - and can't media coverage imperil a court case as well unless folks are very very careful, meaning in the worst case that a guilty party could walk free.
Only one path forward perhaps - trial by mumsnet?

Yes. As we know when women go to the police with allegations of sexual assist and rape they’re always taken seriously and treated well…

I’d bet that’s part of the reason there is a tv programme.

When the story is about a potential serial rapist and someone responds with “is that it?” as if that’s not an exciting and entertaining enough for them, yes, I find it disgusting.